HOYER APPLAUDS COURT DECISION ON MEDIA OWNERSHIP RULES

For Immediate Release:

June 24, 2004

Contact Info:

Stacey Farnen202-225-3130

WASHINGTON – House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer released the following statement today applauding the decision by a U.S. Appeals Court to reverse key provisions of the Federal Communications Commission’s media ownership rules:

“I am very pleased with today’s ruling. The regulation of media is a critical issue for every American and changes should be treated with an appropriate amount of caution and care.

“Media rules affect everything from local programming, such as local weather and emergency reports, to the choice of music available on radio stations. And in an election year, it is painfully obvious that voters must have access to numerous outlets if they are to make an informed choice at the ballot box.

“I am particularly concerned about the impact of radio consolidation on artists, songwriters, and other performing artists. I am hopeful that the FCC will use this opportunity to ensure that media rules enhance, rather than impede, the distribution of a diverse range of music and artists.

“The fact that Americans from across the political spectrum have joined together to protest against these rules is indicative of their potentially negative impact on our society and democracy.

“The court ruled that the Federal Communications Commission must better explain how they came up with these rules. There is no question that there must be good cause for moving these rules forward and it is incumbent on the FCC to detail what that is.”